Patterns of Community Violence Exposure in Adolescence and Their Relation to Key Young Adult Outcomes

Background: Studies have found that youth living in disadvantaged urban settings experience high rates of community violence exposure (CVE), with the majority of youth exposed to multiple forms of violence by the time they reach adolescence (Stein, et al., 2003).  This large body of research has documented the negative impact of such exposure on child and youth development (Fowler, et al, 2009; Lynch, 2003).  Less well understood is the extent and nature of exposure across development among youth living in neighborhoods with high rates of crime and violence, and the variation in impact on outcomes as a consequence.

Not all youth are exposed to the same levels of violence, and exposure may occur at different points in development (Buka, et al. 2001; Gorman-Smith et al., 2004).  The patterns of exposure, including developmental timing may be important in understanding its effects (Fowler et al., 2009; Lynch, 2003).  Recent longitudinal studies suggest heterogeneity in youth experience of CVE over time (Lambert, et al., 2010; Menard & Huizinga, 2001), but little is known about patterns of violence exposure over the full course of adolescence or how these patterns may relate to young adult development. On the basis of previous research, we hypothesized the presence of at least two subgroups: youth consistently not exposed, and youth consistently exposed to high rates of violence (Lambert et al., 2010).

Methods: This current study drew on 273 Chicago adolescents and their caregivers living in impoverished urban neighborhoods were interviewed over five waves between the ages of 13 and 19.  Drawing on five waves of data, Growth Mixture Modeling in MPLUS 7.0 was used to assess unique trajectories of CVE over the course of early to mid-adolescence. Additionally, the present study examined the relation between adolescent trajectories of CVE and young adult outcomes (young adult employment, delinquency, and violence perpetration).

Results: Four adolescent trajectories of violence exposure were identified (moderate/chronic, high/decreasing, low/increasing, and low/none). The 4-class model fit the data better than the 3-class model and 5-class model, based on BIC and entropy fit statistics. The most common class was low exposure over time (45.0%). A small but significant number of youth (19.3%) were in the moderate/chronic class. Nearly a third of youth (30.8%) experienced high rates of exposure early in adolescence that decreased over time. Those youth in the low/increasing and high/decreasing classes were more likely to report high levels of delinquency at age 19 than those in the other classes, whereas youth in the moderate/chronic class were more likely to report low work ethic and employment opportunities.

Implications: The results document that, even among those living in high crime neighborhoods, there is heterogeneity in adolescents’ experience of CVE across time. These distinct patterns of exposure to violence matter with respect to variation in outcomes. Particularly detrimental to development may be those youth who are exposed to chronic violence over adolescence; prevention efforts should target youth experiencing chronic violence.